MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle police prepare for post-Super Bowl shenanigans

Jan 30, 2015, 8:16 AM | Updated: Feb 1, 2015, 4:55 pm

Following the Seahawks’ victory against the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl last year, thous...

Following the Seahawks' victory against the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl last year, thousands of fans took to the streets of Seattle in celebration. Some took the fanfare too far, lighting fires in intersections in the University District and Pioneer Square. At First Avenue and Yesler Street, a historic pergola was damaged when fans climbed on top of it. (KIRO Radio Photo/Brandi Kruse)

(KIRO Radio Photo/Brandi Kruse)

The Seattle Police Department is making final preparations should a Seahawks win – or loss – send fans into the streets en masse.

All five of the city’s precincts will have extra patrols, focusing on districts with more clubs, bars, and restaurants.

Following the Seahawks’ victory against the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl last year, thousands of fans took to the streets of Seattle in celebration. Some took the fanfare too far, lighting fires in intersections in the University District and Pioneer Square. At First Avenue and Yesler Street, a historic pergola was damaged when fans climbed on top of it.

“That was celebratory damage. People were trying to be cool, trying to be happy,” said Assistant Seattle Police Chief Paul McDonagh, who will lead the department’s overall response to potentially rowdy fans on Sunday. “Obviously we’re going to take steps to mitigate that this year, but at the same time they weren’t out there to do damage.”

West Precinct Captain Chris Fowler will be in charge of managing the department’s response to celebrations in the downtown core, including Pioneer Square, on Sunday. He said a Seahawks win would create a higher risk of danger or damage.

“Because people are going to want to celebrate and they get around other people who are celebrating and, of course, you add alcohol into that mix and that can create some concern,” he said.

Captain Fowler said he has gotten a chance to review video and other material from last year’s celebration in Pioneer Square, which ended with officers using flash bang grenades to clear fans out of the street.

“There was a clear point where the behavior of the crowd went from a celebration into a riot,” he said. “So at that point the commanders on the scene decided that the need for public safety was enough where they began to clear the streets.”

Still, the vast majority’s of 12’s celebrated in a respectful way, and Chief McDonagh hopes that will continue this year, should the Hawks win.

“You can’t endanger other people and call it celebratory,” he told KIRO Radio. “Go out, have a good time, be respectful, don’t hurt anybody.”

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

8 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

9 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

11 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

11 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

12 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

15 hours ago

Seattle police prepare for post-Super Bowl shenanigans